Lgr5+ Stem Cells and Their Progeny in Mouse Epidermis Under Regimens of Exogenous Skin Carcinogenesis, and Their Absence in Ensuing Skin Tumors

The study investigated the role of Lgr5+ stem cells in skin carcinogenesis in mice and found that these cells did not initiate tumors. Lgr5+ stem cells remained in hair follicles and their progeny, although able to migrate to the interfollicular epidermis under certain conditions, did not significantly contribute to tumor formation. Instead, other stem cell markers like CD34 and Sox2 were found in tumors, suggesting different cells might be responsible for tumor initiation. The research indicated that quiescent stem cells might be more prone to cancerous transformation due to differences in DNA repair and apoptotic responses.